Late Night Tales: The Homecoming [Force Entering]

[Okada Kaji]

​

Late Night Tales: The Homecoming
Windy alpine heights over the peaks surrounding the Hidden Cloud brought a chill to the core of an incredible creature mid-flight. Leathery wings were spanned wide to absorb maximum lift as a scaled beast with an ax-shaped beast soared high over the mountain city’s perimeter. His long tail curved, aiding it in making a hard swing and swooping dive to a peak adjacent to the city walls. Down came the reptilian wonder, landing hard with its wings creating a vortex to soften that collision to a manageable perch on the stone. Foot claws large enough to grasp a human by the waist took hold of cold stone through the fresh snow caked on top. The ice bit at the creature, causing it to grunt angrily— oh how it abhorred visiting that land, yet his master constantly called him there. There was a scarf tied around his neck, but that was more of a fashionable accessory than a comforting article of clothing for Caerroth the Leatherwing.
“You were once an alpha of this clan— and now you lurk in shadows like a ne'er-do-well,” said Caerroth in a scolding remark as he looked down upon the figure kneeling by the peak’s edge. Caerroth hated mankind with only a few exceptional specimens, and he liked to remind Kaji Okada of this quite regularly; “Humans, short-lived with even shorter memories.”
Of course, Kaji was used to Caerroth’s brand of banter though. He was stone-faced as he continued observing the village’s perimeter, which was adequately guarded to the untrained eye, but Kaji was wiser than that. He was weather-worn by the road from months of travel abroad and donned in shadowy garb worthy of the frigid nights. His raven hair was mostly hidden by a hood draped over his head, but his emeraldine orbs glared up at Caerroth no matter how darkly he was obscured.
“Let them forget;” cold words by Kaji as his focus swung back to his intended point of entry. He was visibly about his business, apparently seeking to breach his supposed home. “What do you have to report from your sweep?”
“The ranks are thin along the watchtowers, guardian,” said Caerroth with an amused tone. “It appears that either the night or the cold has driven most of the ants on duty into their mounds. What kind of sentries keep watch through stone walls?”
“The negligent kind” answered Kaji Okada as he arose to a standing pose.
The leather-winged companion was eager to see Kaji in this resenting state, even curious to see if Kaji would act in a way the murderous lizard could approve. “Then allow me to grab one of them from their highest perch and bring them down to earth… Crushing one will sure bring the others back in line. A clan prospers when the weak are culled.” Really, any excuse to crush a human was worthwhile to Caerroth.
“You worry me sometimes, Caerroth,” it was typical of Kaji to simply dismiss the leatherwing’s bloodthirsty nature. “No, I am not seeking conflict— this is merely a passing. In fact, this is where we part ways, my friend. Return home, I got this from here.”
“Just when I started liking the return of broody Okada, you disappoint me with such weak, human ideology” countered Caerroth, though he was satisfied with the permission to be gone from that wretched mountain for another night. A flex of his mighty wings lifted him high, and after a few more beats the mega-lizard turned into the wind and vanished with a poof of interplanar steam as a rift took him far from Kumogakure’s walls.

Kaji’s thick wintry cloak was billowing in the wind rising from the cliffside as he stood there alone in the dark. The sea of stars was the only thing to create his outline as he stood atop that peak, otherwise one with the night. Those nights abroad were the longest ones he’d experienced in some time, but alas, he had returned to this place he called home. The longest night was almost over, there was just one last hurdle to cross.

- Kaji Okada has returned in this thread.
- Utilizing Half Time Card.

 

[Osuteno]

Late night trips home from work were generally supposed to be quick but it doesn’t seem like Osu’s wife was going to be happy with him tonight. What bothered him most is that he didn’t even see the slightest bit of alarm from the walls despite what seemed to be an oddity in the sky. Rushing towards the main gate himself, Osu ignored someone who tried to speak to him and went straight to the top of the gates with a stern expression looking out. Once he finally caught the sound of a heartbeat and focused his attention he simply announced loudly into the night, “I don’t suppose I can help you with anything?”

[hold there bud ]

 

[Kiri]

Dark and cold, they said. The evening watch by the gates was something to be talked about, mostly in front of the hearth when nothing much is happening. But Uri knew better than that. Though his current assignment by the gates was fairly recent, he had already seen a few of the strangest things. For one, the other day he had met a group of travelers from Fire Country, where one of them so happened to be a dog larger enough to play around with the houses in the village, but only if it meant demolishing those structures. And then, on that same day, he found himself a nice place to watch an encounter between the masked goof who has been causing trouble lately and one of the anbu guards. Strictly speaking, with this much happening, the guards shouldn’t be lax in their efforts, especially come dark.

Fortunately, he loved the shadows enough to press himself against them whenever possible, and what little light from the moon above would cast, may show a bit of his red hair. He was dressed in a black hooded jacket, as he remained perched no the tower’s rails. He had just finished a good night’s drink of matcha from Rokudo-san’s place that was delivered by one of his students. A little warm drink keep him company through the silent night that was seemingly becoming too uneventful.

That was, until, he felt a chakra pulse. His crimson eyes darted through the darkness as if he was trying to catch a glimpse of it. No sooner had it let itself be known to him, did it disappear as well. That was rather odd and frankly something to look forward to. Glancing back to the door that was slightly ajar that held the office and the hearth inside, he knew the rest were likely to be trying to keep themselves awake with casual talk. Sometimes he joined. Tonight, he had just wanted to think under the stars. But with this unexpected pulse in the air, Uri knew a short walk could do wonders to a tired soul.

He jumped down from the tower, let himself free-fall before landing squarely on the ground, his chakra making it ease to absorb the shock. He felt the stirring of his own flame within and let a bit of the blue fire tongues to appear and sit on his shoulder. A little light, if you will. Then, he proceeded to walk towards the wall before scaling it and stood on top. From there, he watched the fields below, empty and cold. The dark of night was soothing, but soon enough he felt it. Someone was approaching. Not strange enough, he saw another below. It was someone from Kumogakure, he figured.

He didn’t want another commotion like the other, so he dropped down from the wall’s height, and stood by the front of the giant gates. From there, he made sure that his presence was known, as the blue flame flickered and dance while it sat on his shoulder like a promising companion. But he would wait for the approaching presence to stop being shy and awkward, and he didn't want to overstep the other person's charge.

[Topic Entered]

 

[Okada Kaji]

His descent was slowed to a glide like a kite in a controlled landing as Kaji’s wintry cloak stiffened and widened like wings. Kaji came skirting across the pavement, landing into a prowling dash. Layers of black and haze grey to his garments blended him into his surroundings. The sleek design of his form— an ideal shinobi physique conformed against a wall hued from cobblestone as one guard passed by haplessly with a block handheld game device in hand. He was entranced by the green screen, effectively compromised as a sentry. Kaji considered dropping his ruse and confiscating the game while giving him a valid scolding— but it was Kaji who was violating the more serious village protocols in the first place. So he let the dolt go and slipped past, making into the long archway that served as the gate’s central opening. Acting natural was an important part of blending into the environment and not arousing suspicion. There was little point to hugging walls and prowling like a hunting cat through the most monitored section of Dragontooth Pass, so Kaji simply strolled through under the premise that he must have been checked already by the first guard.

But then another stranger— one simply minding his own business, came in passing. Osuteno was deceptively frail at first glance. Of course, Kaji did not instantly put that name to this face yet, but he was certainly told a tale or two by Yuii. Anyway, Osuteno set eyes upon Kaji, who was revealed by the glow of a torched sconce. It was a chance meeting for these two, and again for a third shadow who dropped into view a ways behind Kaji. “It appears I’m being made,” thought Kaji, however, he knew their suspicions were still most-likely just curiosities. Stranger danger. Kaji turned just slightly to spot Uri from the corner of his eye, a more physical-looking sentry to compliment the first. Then the former of these two supposed sentries asked an assertive question.</FONTFACE>

<FONTFACE fontface="georgia">

“Oh, I’ve already been helped, more than sufficiently,” replied Kaji, lying, but in a compliant tone. “A fellow standing outside already checked my paperwork— along with two sentries patrolling just down the trail. I’m just on my way home.” The play at aggravation was a bit unfiltered in his tone, but he followed through by reaching into his jacket lining pocket for a gray dossier. “It’s okay though; I appreciate the thorough work.”
Kaji pinched the dossier booklet between two fingers, presenting it for either approaching sentry to take and review rather than approaching them, which could have been interpreted as an aggressive act. Upon looking through the booklet Osu and or Uri would discover finely printed identification, a passport authorized by the print and signature of Yuii Kagetsu, and pages of itineraries and contacts detailing months of travel to several nations. It went on and on with detailed information but was ultimately a fabrication— the kind meant to protect a burned operative. According to the booklet, they’d know him as Takaji Osada, a Jounin Weapons Expert who was coming home from a journeyman exchange program with their allies in the Hidden Leaf.

“Quiet night so far?” Kaji tossed them an inquiry to lighten the mood, yet he was analyzing them all the meanwhile. The first one didn’t look so formidable, at least not readily or in a physical approach— that would be the second sentry’s role if Kaji broke out an escape attempt. He began recalling a handful of illusory options at his disposal. No, fighting would defeat the point of the ruse, just as he told Caerroth it would. It never hurts to have a backup plan, though.

 

[Osuteno]

Osuteno glanced at the man with the blue flames who came from the gates before narrowing his eyes at the suspicious fellow. Well it was a simple enough affair if he was just being paranoid. Osu at least appreciated the fact that the man recognized he was suspicious enough to not make any moves aside from presenting his papers. Osu raised one hand towards the suspect palm facing up and a red thread left his fingertip and reached to grab the papers at just a little above the speed of someone walking, to make it clear it wasn’t an attack.

The string retracted with the paperwork and as Osu flipped it open, only glancing at the first page of information and focusing on if the passport were made of the correct material composition and had the markings in the proper places he began to relax more visibly as it appeared to be an entirely authentic passport based on the number of times he had taken up gate duty on behalf of others.

After flipping back to the information page briefly, and skimming through the travel information, Osu smiled and another red thread left his hand to pass the passport to the man with the blue flame. “Pardon, could you briefly check to see if they entered Takaji-San’s entry information correctly? Not to mean any offense, but the work done around this time of night is typically very sloppy and not up to regulation.” Osu glanced pointedly at a group of guards that seemed to be completely entranced by a late night mystery drama on a radio.

“Sorry about this Takaji-San, but I noticed something out of place out there not long ago and it has me a bit on edge. Did you happen to notice anything on your way up the mountain? Oh, pardon, my name is Chigokai Osuteno, Sesshou of the Medical Branch.” Osu said finally introducing his own name and rank.

“Oh and since I have you here and your travel log suggests you would have been very nearby to when and where it happened, would you happen to have a first hand account or at least chanced upon the scene of the murders of the former hokages Umashiashikabihikoji and Yomi?”

 

[Kiri]

Uri never averted his eyes from the man before him. Even as the other cloud shinobi took the helm with the observation of the passport and appraising it, the redhead let his eyes commit this man’s face into his mind. He wasn’t the kind to stare at others but there was always the need to. Any new face entering the village was someone worth noting, and with the recent commotions, it was important to remember their faces. For one, there had been a way to study a person’s way of standing, way of looking, way of speaking, and even their way of breathing. And most of the time, these ways can become windows to one’s soul. Then, uncharacteristically, Uri smiled widely, eyes closing in sheer mirth, before he opened them again and let his smile to fall into a conservative one as Osu handed the passport to him. He gladly took it and with a courteous nod to Osu, gave the man one last glance.

“Your name’s very familiar. Or at least it sounds… as if I’m reminded that I should know it like a nursery rhyme or phrase, or code,” he mused as he then turned around and took one step before letting his chakra out to empower his leg with a powerful jump. Immediately, he reached the gate and scaled it in quick succession. Then, he would reach the group of other watch tower guards there. He did it quickly, ran through the reports and frowned at thought of the answer quickly showing itself to him.

Shutting the passport between his hands, he then rushed back to the stranger addressing himself as Osada and the other cloud shinobi. But as he jumped over the gate rails and landed on the ground, there was a burst of blue flames that licked the ground and trailed to the side before dying out into the wind. A fancy entrance? No, he was testing. His eyes still remained on the man as he took every step to get close, and any movement, any chakra spike, any reaction would be quite interesting to observe.

“Authentic… material,” he said with a raised hand holding the passport between his fingers, “The contents… rather ambiguous. Cross-checking with reports only makes it even more interesting for there wasn’t anything, at all, in the records of a Takaji Osada.” He then held the passport firmly in his hand as he let his hand dangle by his side. Clearly, he wasn’t at all keen to give it back, not when there was a mystery behind the authentic thing that holds an identity beyond their records. “It’s a cold night. Should we move this conversation somewhere else, O-san?”

 

[Okada Kaji]

And so the inspection began, first in the form of a curious line of questions which informed Kaji Okada as much as they might have challenged him. His eyes narrowed to a glare at the mention of two former Hokage’s murder— more importantly, the murdering of a friend, that friend’s partner, and the orphaning of their children. Yes, Kaji did know Umashiashikabihikoji, in fact, he had even faced him in combat… The memory of nearly slicing the former Hokage in two just to witness him quickly sew himself back together surfaced within Kaji— it was a spar gone awry, but the idea of that man being slain was troubling indeed. If the news were true Kaji would have time to investigate the matter, in fact, it would probably be waiting on his desk in the morning. However, this was not a matter of grave concern for this Takaji Osada persona.
“Come again— did you just say they were murdered?” asked Kaji in a search for understanding. “This is certainly the first I’ve heard of a murder. I rode with a merchant caravan into the nearby town and hiked from there. No signs of a scuffle on the roads, not even a crime scene.” The response ended in a sullen tone, Kaji was seemingly discomforted by the suggestion that such an act occurred under his nose, whether that occurred on his travel path or not. “While the news is disconcerting, I’m afraid I have nothing to offer on the matter.”

There would be a time for investigating the supposed murder, and Kaji would learn much more from his post in the Sileo Tempestas than the gate detail would expunge. So he defaulted to his original intentions an observed the behaviors of his counterparts, seeking either a chance for a clean escape or a convincing pardon. However, a bit of insistence from Uri hinted that they weren’t going to let Takaji Okasa be on his way so quickly.
No record— it was as if the sentry was sure he found the hole in Takaji’s story, an excuse to keep up the charade. “Some of us lead uneventful lives” countered Kaji, “my work has never consisted of the sort of missions and operations worthy of public record. I doubt you’d find anything noteworthy in the guardhouse filing cabinets.”

But then came the notion of recognition as the fellow bothered referring to Kaji be a respectful title, but that would go overlooked for the time being as Kaji would do some insisting of his own. “I’m sorry but the hour is late, the road has taken its toll, and my family is expecting my arrival tonight. I’d rather not delay that much longer.”

 

[Osuteno]

“Seen and heard nothing then? Such a big event in your path and you have heard nothing? Fair enough, that was a just to say if you would make something up anyway,” Osu replied smiling still and nodding to the man’s denial of any knowledge of the nonexistent event.

The return of the blue flame gate guard simply exasperated Osu with the gate guards further, “I asked you to confirm whether or not there was a completed entry for this man’s entrance at the gates just now, not to go and see if we have his life story on hand. You just needed to take a few steps outside that gate and ask to see the list of entries. Fine, I will ask myself.”

Another red thread shot out from Osu’s body and reached past the gate and around the corner when a sudden yelp was heard. A man hung upside down, holding a gaming system in one hand, was dangling by his feet wrapped with the red thread, and he was brought face to face with Osu.

“Has anyone entered the gates in the last while?”

“N-no mam!” Stammered the guard.

“It’s sir. So you haven’t seen nor registered that man over there, a Takaji Osada, entering tonight?”

“No, no one has entered in hours!”

“Are you playing a game while on duty?”

“I- I was just…”

“Disgraceful. Simply disgraceful.” Osu dropped the man who caught himself and landed properly despite the fright. Distracted or not, he was still a shinobi. He could not, however, save his game system which was smashed with the whip-like thread.

“This entire operation is apparently a mess after dark, Takaji Osada, but that is a problem I will have to see if I can sort out with their sennin later, but for now I will have you know regardless that it is against regulations for someone to enter the village unchecked, which anyone of this village should know is a fairly serious crime. Do you think yourself above the law? Or that it is too inconvenient for yourself to follow such things? Even Raikage follow proper procedures, so I don’t know who you think you are to not follow that example.”

Osu glared lightly towards the young man with blue flames, “Make sure to stop him if he tries to run anywhere, but don’t just start anything on your own, you can at least follow that direction correct?”

This time, more than one red thread began pouring out of Osu. This time it was dozens spilling out his sleeves and from his yukata collar and they began spreading out like a large fan unfolding behind Osu. “I will ask you just once to be straight with me Takaji-San. I would rather not fight a fellow Kumogakuran if you are one, but I would need a fairly reliable individual to vouch for you at this point, and even then I will not let this matter go lightly. If you have no one satisfactorily reliable who you can think of to confirm your identity, I will request the rather hot headed fellow to help me bring you in for questioning, and ask you to please come along quietly.”

 

[Kiri]

Uri wasn’t at all a fan when Osu berated him for his neglect. He frowned at the thought. This was his fault. This was not his first day in gate duty so he ought to know better. Or maybe he could complain to Ibaraki-san about not being taught the rudiments about the gate job. “Just watch the gates. Make sure no one forces in. That should be easy.” The voice rang in his head as he sighed. It would have been better off if it was a retrieval mission, or a hunt. He was, at the very least, far more useful. Maybe the only reason he was there in the first place was to supply the artillery if ever another incident such as the one created by the mask goofball were to occur again. “I’ll keep in mind the proper procedures next time,” said Uri.

Nevertheless, he let his eyes stay on the man in front of him after apologetically glancing at Osu just as the latter seemingly did another one of his creepy red string act and caught someone from the gate tower. It wasn’t that long when a man was brought and interrogated. Now, he wondered if he was sent there because he was useless outside of any fight at al. Poor guy, Uri thought as the event left him a bit speechless with a broken game console.

That aside, things became a bit more serious. Now that it was known that there had never been a record of this man, Uri felt as though things were moving towards the scenario he was meant for. “Don’t worry. If anything, I was meant to hunt down threats,” replied Uri as Osu shifted to reveal tendrils seemingly ready to act. For his part, blue flames began to materialize as the small tongues of fire perched over his shoulder or ran down the side of his pants, not burning but making itself known.

 

[Okada Kaji]

“Very well then, so be it” answered Kaji, followed by a deep sigh.
“Send a call to my superior— I answer directly to him, so he will have to do. Call upon our Lord Raikage Ayumu Kogami, he’ll have to vouch for me.”
With folded arms and a further-twisting sneer, Kaji was clearly serious and knew the implications this would mean to the sentries, but that did not matter. “I intended to pay him a visit formally in the morning, but I suppose now is as good a time as ever.” The gravelly earth crunched when Kaji spun hard on a heel and began a brisk march towards the guard tower.
“This is going to take some time, after all, so we might as well get comfy. I’m going to start a brew in the break room— I have a sack of some good coffee beans I picked up while in Raiden’s Eye and I’m running on fumes at the moment.” He knew his way and paid the two sentries little mind as he entered the station. They wanted him to stand by and comply, and he was doing it, just on his own terms.

“Go on then and make haste” Kaji bade the two sentries, just loud enough for the other muted onlookers to hear and get in motion, picking up the phone. “Send the word that Takaji Osada has returned.”


- Requesting Ayumu to join the thread.

 

[Kogami Ayumu]

As luck would so have it, Ayumu was in the neighborhood, so to speak, of the gates. That is to say he was a bit nearer than usual within the village. On top of that, he'd already heard some reports about a suspicious individual stopped for questioning at the gates and started that way to investigate personally. Shortly thereafter, he'd gotten a page to come to the gates, confirming his suspicions that it might be a good idea to head that way. 'Surprise, surprise...' Ayumu thought to himself as he picked up the pace a bit and hurried to the gates. What was it this time? A mercenary asking to work for money, hoping to join the village? Some vagrant trying to sneak in after being told no already? Ayumu had seen quite a bit at the gates by this point in his career. However, a name had been given, one he was apparently supposed to recognize. He didn't. Well, not exactly. It certainly sounded an awful lot like the name of somebody he knew, but he couldn't imagine why that person would be using a fake name.

Several minutes later he arrived at the scene where he was expected and pointed in the direction of the problem that required his intervention. Apparently, they had moved into the guardhouse, perhaps to take some shelter from the chill of the night. That suited Ayumu just fine- whatever this was there was no reason to be uncomfortable while it was dealt with. Grasping the door handle he pulled it open and entered the humble building quickly scanning for the stranger who he'd been called to deal with. No stranger was to be found. What his eyes did fixate on was the back of somebody's head, familiar looking moderate length black hair. Taking a few quick steps, Ayumu glimpsed the man's face and naturally recognized him instantly. Kaji had returned at last... and none to soon. He didn't know what had happened yet. What on earth was going on here, though? 'Why the false name?' Ayumu wondered.

"Ta...kaji... did I hear them correctly?" Ayumu spoke up, announcing his presence as he pointed to his earpiece. He had a questioning look upon his face, naturally, trying to ascertain what Kaji was up to, but the expression quickly turned grim. Whatever it was, there was really no time for it. "Listen, I don't know what's going on here, but it's going to have to wait. You need to get to the hospital and talk to your wife right now. It's Umeko..." Ayumu addressed Kaji directly. Explaining further would just waste more time. Ayumu had noticed Osu and Eru by now, and surely they had stopped Kaji for good reason that Ayumu wasn't aware of just yet, but this was too important to wait. Ayumu looked to the two of them. "I am granting him entry, you can give me a report about what happened here later," Ayumu instructed them. If Osu or Eru had objections, Ayumu would hear them but Kaji needed to be on his way. If Kaji wasn't already moving, Ayumu would look to him before simply saying, "Go."<i></i>

[OoC: Due to some events happening in another thread that takes place chronologically before this one, I needed to edit. Sorry about that.]
[Granting Entry to Kaji]
[TLUS]

 

[Osuteno]

Osu simply scowled at the man as he retracted his tendrils. “Such arrogance and lack of respect is a rather unsightly appearance for anyone. But if Ayumu-Sama can back up your claim then it will also be all the simpler to request something be done concerning your transgression. Please call for him to come at his convenience.” Osu nodded towards the guards.

Several minutes passed with Osu simply enjoying a cup of tea good for circulation from his own collection of leaves and glancing at the clock. He sighed has he watched the minute hand move. He was already late leaving from work and now this. Chiai was probably wondering why he hadn’t been home to help the girls settled for the night again, though that really only required reading them a story or two since they were fairly low maintenance.

Still, he had promised to be home more since his promotion and raise, and while that was true he still felt it wasn’t a large enough improvement. Osu looked at the current problem drinking coffee across from him.

“I have to ask Takaji-San, why are you causing such an inconvenience this late to where even the Raikage is having to come out here to clean up after you? Surely you have some great reason to skip a simple verification process despite having a passport on hand and commit a felony in the process? I would rather not assume a Cloud Shinobi would do such a thing for some selfish or inconsiderate reasons.”

Eventually Ayumu did show up but notably he he shocked Osu by naming a patient whose case had been troubling him lately. “Umeko-Chan? Yuii’s child? The father?” Osu stared at the man for a half moment and his expression changed to one of pity as he stood up and rushed to the door to go with Takaji to the hospital.

“I will make a report later,” Osu said briefly as he surely expected for Takaji to rush straight to the hospital without a moment to lose. He had some difficult things to inform the man of as the child’s doctor on his dash to the hospital, to warn and brace the man for what awaited him one father to another.

[Tlus]

 

[Kiri]

Everything happened rather quickly. Uri simply went along with Osu’s plan. However, as much as he was expecting a fight from the intruder, there wasn’t. Instead, they ended up inside the watch tower where they served him a hot coffee. Uri wasn’t particularly angry, but he did find it rather strange for someone to have such confidence, and to call upon the Raikage himself. That was already something of a cause for concern as this person may someone of importance to the village. Nevertheless, he would abide quietly until the very figure of the village arrived.

He had hoped that the Raikage would explain the scenario for them, even at all explain the reason as to who this person was and why he was there, but something urgent came upon them and the Raikage took charge, granting Takaji entry and even directing him to the hospital. Uri could feel the tension in the air as even Osu reacted to this, leading the younger shinobi to hastily bring the stranger to wherever it was. That only made Uri a bit jealous. There were far too many people in the upper echelon he didn’t know, he didn’t understand and seemingly far from grasp. He’d have to make himself worthy if he were to try and even aspire to be the raikage’s guard.

He glanced back at the Raikage one last time. For now he was just an ordinary anbu. Nothing more. So he would nod in courtesy and mention that he, too, would give a report if needed. Other than that, he would simply leave and return to watching the gates. That’s right, he was back to his menial task, far removed from where he really wanted to be.

[TLUS]

 

[Okada Kaji]

Ayumu was someone Kaji could count on, and one of the few people within that city built on the clouds that could be trusted with news of his return. While Kaji’s wait was not a long one, it felt like a life sentence as he endured the prodding and chiding of the misplaced medic, Osuteno. Was an explanation owed, even as a courtesy? Kaji’s emeraldine eyes narrowed as he looked over the oppugnant Osuteno. Kaji Okada always envied the simple lifestyle of the gate guards, the doctors in their sterile and safe workplaces, and all the other mundane shinobi who lead uncomplicated lives. For all their troubles, it was the earned privilege— and often the necessity of the ANBU operatives to obfuscate their motives and deeds. Nothing about Osuteno or even Uri sang out “your secrets are safe with me,” well, maybe just Osuteno, because it seemed as if Uri was on board.
“Lord Kogami is coming— I’m done answering questions” stated Kaji in a stiff tone. “What you saw as arrogant and disrespectful was me simply seeking the help of a close friend.’ You pressed me, though I can’t knock you for upholding your duties... and you were told that I answer directly to the Raikage. You should take that for what it’s worth and been done with it.”
Their conversation was going swimmingly; great chums from the start of an awkward transaction that shifted topics completely once the Raikage arrived with a look of utter urgency about him.

Everything changed the moment Ayumu mentioned his family. That anticipating feeling like butterflies in the stomach suddenly sank into despair— the very motivation for his existence was revealed to be in jeopardy. There was a storm rolling within and without him then, first the one he was trying to leave behind outside those village gates, and now another one which dwarfed the former in intensity.
“Come again?” Asked Kaji, overflowing with gloom and worry, though he had heard the Raikage clearly. But before he’d even wait to have the information of Umeko’s endangerment explain Kaji was pedaling backward and rolling up a sleeve.
“I’m sorry” he declared, with the reason being interpretable in many ways. Suddenly, his transgressions in the earth country seemed petty, his timing was a mere few precious hours late, and his daughter was paying the price. Kaji thought he had handled his enemies in the last few months, but they had struck that night in a grand fashion— a shot to the heart. His corded forearm was bared and marked by a dragon tattoo coiling around it, with glyphs glowing through his skin. Kaji’s hands clapped together to form several formations, and from there he sunk his right hand onto the cold ground. There was a smoky boom and steam wafted about, making way for the return of that massive, scaled and winged leatherwing, Caerroth.
“You dare call for my return” bellowed Caerroth incredulously. “There better be a battle this time, Kaji Okada, or I swear to the thousand-scaled god—”
“In time, Caerroth, but for now we must hurry” commanded Kaji, who jumped onto the leather-winged beast as if he wore a saddle to ride. “My daughter is in peril!” Then Kaji pointed a stiff index finger at Osuteno, and Caerroth’s long tail whipped around him in a flash, thrice. “You’ll have to forgive my prior transgressions in this dire moment, Osuteno. For now, my loved ones need me and you’re coming along for the ride!”
And what came next was maddening. The Leatherwing beat his wide wings and air shot the trio upwards and onward into the village hidden in the clouds. They went on a beeline for the Aesculapium.

-- Topic Left